Empire of Shadows by Sarah M. Cradit Review

Where do I begin? And how can I possibly tell you what I think of this fantastical creation without spoilers?
Empire of Shadows takes us on a roller coaster ride through other worlds and other lands as Ana, Finn, Aidrik, Nicolas, Amelia and the rest of the Deshanel clan search for answers. 
This latest installment in the House of Crimson and Clover series is an epic tome. The characters are even further developed, story lines created and twisted and other worlds explored. Every book by Sarah Cradit I think is better than the last, but this book is a masterpiece. Cradit has written such a complete novel with Empire of Shadows. I was concerned about the length, but quickly realized it wasn’t long just for the sake of length. Every word was necessary. The author matures with each book and invites the reader to enter the world of the Empyreans. 
I could not put this book down. It drew me into its worlds and held me there. I would give this far more than five stars if I could. This book left me speechless, yet wanting more; sad and angry, yet wanting more. Cradit is a masterful writer and I cannot wait for the next book. 
*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest and fair review

Molly Lee Book Review

http://www.amazon.com/Molly-Lee-Andrew-Joyce/dp/1511402989/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428547090&sr=8-1&keywords=Molly+Lee

I can only give this five stars? I was captivated by Molly from page 1. I felt as if I was right next to her throughout the years covered in this book. Too many times an author will make me feel like that with a character and then the book ends abruptly. Not so this time. The adventures, the trials, the accomplishments of Molly Lee will live with me a long time. 

I thoroughly enjoyed Redemption, but Andrew Joyce took me on the ride of a lifetime with Molly Lee. His character development was superb and every action made perfect sense. Oh, how I would have loved to have Molly as my friend. 

I highly recommend this book. While you could read it as a standalone, I would still suggest reading Redemption first. Molly Lee is not a character you will soon forget. 

The Quest for the Holy Something or Other by Kylie Betzner Review

I had no idea what to expect from this book. I read it was supposed to be comedy poking fun at King Arthur times. Not being a fan of Arthurian legends, I was a bit nervous to read this.

But my nerves were immediately calmed when I met Pig. What a charming child. A child who always viewed the world through rose-colored glasses. Then Pig becomes Sir Kay’s page and they embark on a quest. A quest filled with more problems than you can imagine.

The humor in this book was just the right amount. Plus it combined modern time things with Arthurian things. The Round Table was replaced by Merlin with a Pineapple Table.

This was a well-written story by a fresh new author and I recommend it for all ages. Four out of five stars.

Living the Dream by Tim Baker Review

This was an interesting book. Initially I kept getting confused. Each chapter was told from the point of view of a different character. But once I got into the rhythm of that, it smoothed out for me.

It was almost a comedy of errors for poor Kurt who is trying to scam anyone available. He was like able, even though he has to be one of the dumbest crooks ever. But I kinda felt sorry for him.

The book was all tied together with the dreams. The author did a good job of keeping the various story lines straight.

This was an easy read. I will be reading more by this author. Four out of five stars.

Echoes of Narcissus Review

You know those books you read that make you lose yourself? The books that you read that you never want to end? This was that book. I enjoyed this group of friends so much that I felt like I was truly a part of their lives.

The character development was perfect. The word pictures of the places that Donna went made me feel like I was using her eyes myself.

My only disappointment is that the book ended much too soon. I wanted it to go on forever. Jo Robinson has an amazing way with words and drawing the reader into their world.

Five out of five stars and highly recommended.

Curse of the Dark Wind by Charles Yallowitz Review

Four and a half stars out of five

Book Six in the Legends of Windemere series is full of action, fantasy and adventure.

Luke, and the other champions, try to solve the mystery of the Living Curse. It takes them on a journey to Gale Hollow and then on to Widowhorn and the Garden of Uli. Luke appears to be the champion who is targeted in this book in the series. As he and his friends battle all sorts of creatures, are visited by an old friend, and discover new found magic and talent.

I really enjoyed Fizzle in this book. He was allowed to shine with his abilities and the champions seem to rely on him throughout much of this book.

These are fun books to read. I recommend reading them in order though so you will have full understanding.

I do wish, however, that the partnering of the champions would leave out the sex. I would not recommend these books for teens because of the sex. It is unnecessary for the broader book and story and feels forced and unnatural.

Definitely read these books if you are looking for a good fantasy read.

Revival by Stephen King Review

From Amazon: A dark and electrifying novel about addiction, fanaticism, and what might exist on the other side of life.

In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers. Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. The men and boys are all a bit in love with Mrs. Jacobs; the women and girls feel the same about Reverend Jacobs—including Jamie’s mother and beloved sister, Claire. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, this charismatic preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town.

Jamie has demons of his own. Wed to his guitar from the age of thirteen, he plays in bands across the country, living the nomadic lifestyle of bar-band rock and roll while fleeing from his family’s horrific loss. In his mid-thirties—addicted to heroin, stranded, desperate—Jamie meets Charles Jacobs again, with profound consequences for both men. Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil’s devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.

My Review: Four Stars out of Five (although I am really leaning to a low four stars)

I fell in love with the writing of Stephen King when I read my first book – Carrie gripped me. Then I read another, and another and then The Shining. I loved his writing and devoured his books…until I didn’t. He got weird and I just couldn’t get into some of them. Then some of them became hundreds and hundreds of pages and they were torture to finish. I thought he was returning to his roots when he released Doctor Sleep…almost, yet not quite.

Revival was still almost, yet not quite. While this wasn’t a terribly long book, it still started dragging in the middle of the book. I kept waiting on something to happen. And it did, but not until the last 10% of the book. Even then it didn’t end when it should have. It was rather anticlimactic.

Would I recommend this one? Yes I would. It was a good story. But if you are looking for original horror from the King of Horror, you will most likely be disappointed. Maybe I’m still stuck on REDRUM.

Affair by Loving Husband Review

I was looking for a quick trashy book to read and stumbled across this. It fit the bill.

This book (more of novella length than novel length) was written entirely as a series of text messages. The texts are between Megan and Ryan, her lover. And between Megan and Steven, her husband.

Fortunately it was a short book because the texts started sounding all alike. It had a rather predictable ending. There was some graphic sex talk in it so it is definitely not a YA book.

It was an okay read for a quick book to fill a couple of hours. Not a great book. But not an awful book.

Queen of Hearts by Samantha Warren review

This is the second book in the Iron Locket series. It may stand alone, but I think you really need to read book 1 first.

A fantasy story with King Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. As the Four Queens try to reign and fight against evil, the story unfolds. Guinevere, Arthur and Lancelot may have been the first love triangle, but the new love triangle is Guinevere, Arthur and Aoife. At least Guinevere tries to make it a love triangle. Arthur has other ideas.

This is a well written book. I recommend reading the first in the series though before reading this one. And I do recommend reading this one. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as #1 but it is a nice continuation of the story.

One Mississippi by Howard Littleson Review

This book was set in a time period that is difficult for me to understand. I understand what actually happens then, but I don’t get the oppression of races and women.

Kathryn is trying desperately to break free from both biases, but struggles with her own background, and I would guess upbringing. Her father arranged a marriage for her to a man who then died. We learned of her abuse and that she was required to be a grieving widow living with her younger sister and brother-in-law. The story unfolds slowly and reveals many layers. But we are allowed to join Kathryn and Julia as they make their way into a new world.

While the book needed a proofreader to correct a few typos, it was basically well written. The story does have an open conclusion and then the reader finds out this is just book one in a trilogy. I would recommend this book for a day when you are looking for a quick read.